On 21 May 2014 a supernova candidate in Messier 106 discovered by the PanSTARRS team was reported via CBAT and ATel. At Virtual Telescope we very promptly managed to do optical and spectroscopic follow-up, confirming the existence of the transient and clarifying it was indeed a Type II supernova (see below).

Above is a single 300-seconds exposure, remotely taken with the PlaneWave 17″ robotic unit part of the Virtual Telescope and shows the supernova very close to the nucleus of the hosting galaxy. The transient was measured at mag R=13.5. The scale in the image above is 0.7″/pixel, north is on the right, east is up.

Below is the spectrum remotely taken with the Celestron C14 robotic unit, showing a clear emission at H-alpha wavelengths, revealing this is a type II supernova.

If everyone reading this right now would donate something, our fundraiser would be done in a few days. Please, donate and receive unique, LIMITED EDITION set of images of stunning Potentially Hazardous Asteroid 1998 OR2, images of the International Space Station above Rome and more, specifically made for supporters like you!